Baseball: Van Zant Signs Seven
June 15, 2005 04:22 PM | General
June 15, 2005
 |
||
| Van Zant |
MORGAMTOWN, W.Va. - MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (June 15, 2005) – West Virginia University baseball coach Greg Van Zant today announced the signing of seven recruits for the 2006 baseball season.
Giving the coach signatures were pitchers Lou Green (Madison, W.Va./Logan), Billy Gross (Frederick, Md./Frederick), Joe Stupka (Pittsburgh, Pa./Potomac State) and Dan Leatherman (Walkersville, Md./Frederick CC); outfielders Billy Wooten (Wilkinson, W.Va./Potomac State) and Austin Markel (Elizabethville, Pa./ Upper Dauphin Area); and first baseman Jordan Yost (MacArthur, W.Va./Woodrow Wilson).
“All of the players in this recruiting class fill specific needs that we have on our team,” said Van Zant. “We’re excited that all seven of these guys have chosen to be Mountaineers and we are really looking forward to have them on campus in August.”
Green helped lead the Logan Wildcats to the 2005 AA state baseball championship. The right-handed pitcher was chosen to the AA all-state team after recording a 9-2 record with a 0.92 ERA. In 66 innings of work Green struck out 129 batters, while only walking nine. He was also a standout basketball player, earning AA all-state honors. Green was chosen by the Atlanta Braves in the 36th round of this year’s Major League Baseball draft.
“Lou is a very talented pitcher who has a world of potential and could be an impact arm for us in the BIG EAST,” said Van Zant.
Gross recorded a 9-1 record this past season for Frederick High with a 1.11 ERA, striking out 97 and walking 10 in 68 innings. The 6-2 righty was named to the Washington Post all-met team and was also honored as the Frederick News player of the year. Gross will represent Maryland in the Sunbelt Classic in Norman, Okla., this June as well as Maryland North in the Brooks Robinson game at Camden Yards on July 10.
“He has an excellent slider and curve that should give him a chance to miss some bats,” said Van Zant.
Right-handed hurler Stupka was a starter this past season for Potomac State’s Junior College World Series team. He finished 2005 with a 4-2 record and a 4.74 ERA, holding opposing batters to a .181 batting average.
“Stupka is a big time competitor that will bring valuable experience to our staff and knows how to win,” said Van Zant.
Leatherman was FCC’s ace in 2005 with a 5-3 record. The right-hander recorded a 1.21 ERA that ranked as the second lowest in the country among NJCAA Division II schools. Leatherman struck out 74 batters in 66.3 innings of work.
“Leatherman is a strike thrower who could go out and be a weekend starter for us next spring,” said Van Zant.
Wooten comes from Potomac State with teammate Stupka. In 2005 he was named first team all-region and first team all-eastern district for the Catamounts after recording a .417 average with 10 doubles, nine triples, one home run and 52 RBI.
“We see Bill competing for a job in right or leftfield and possibly hitting at the top of our order,” said Van Zant.
Markel is a quality left handed hitting centerfielder that led Upper Daughin High in batting with a .469 average. In 2004 he attended the Team One Showcase Camp and was named first team all-conference in 2005.
“Austin swings the bat well from the left side and has the ability to steal bases as well,” said Van Zant.
Rounding out the class is first baseman Yost. The 6-5, 230-pound MacArthur, W.Va., native was first team all-state for Woodrow Wilson in 2004 and 2005. This past season Yost batted .370 with five homeruns and 25 RBI. He may also be used on the mound as a right-handed pitcher as he went 5-1 for WWHS with a 3.26 ERA, fanning 56 batters in 43 innings.
“Yost has the potential to be a power hitter for us at first base and he could develop into an outstanding college pitcher due to his arm strength,” said Van Zant.
